However, you do not want to be left without electricity for hours or even days.

That’s why you need the best RV generator. The one that you can trust that it can run the most crucial electric equipment (such as the AC or fridge).

In the following article, we explain everything you need to know before buying a portable RV generator. We will also show you our top recommendations for the best generators for RV currently available in the market.

It is an excellent RV ready dual fuel generator attracting stellar reviews from buyers in the US. It is a very quiet portable unit that can run on either gas or propane. It has enough wattage to run a large RV air conditioner and other appliances in your travel trailer.

If you are looking for a genuine low-cost 2000-watt RV generator which is much cheaper than Yamaha or Honda – WEN 56200i is your best bet.

The generator is remarkably quiet and very lightweight. You won’t have any problems carrying it around.

Fuel economy is one of its strongest points. In can run for around 6 hours on a full tank of gas at 50% load. That is quite an impressive result, given its small size and weight.

It does have a handy economy mode, which further helps optimize its fuel consumption and automatically adjusts the engine speed based on current requirements. The inclusion of this economy mode significantly increases the overall runtime.

As you would expect from the portable RV generator this cheap, the materials used for finishing are perhaps not the top-notch quality. Its lifespan might be, therefore, shorter than Honda.

On the other hand, if you don’t plan to use it too often, this RV generator can offer you a very cost-effective solution to your energy problems.

I’ve published a detailed review of WEN 56200i where I’ve revealed more fascinating info about this portable generator. Check it out here!

6. Westinghouse iGen2200

Westinghouse is a very trusted American electric company. They’ve been making electric equipment for more than 100 years. As you would expect – they have a lot of experience behind their belt and certainly know how to make excellent generators.

The iGen2200 is currently the best portable inverter unit Westinghouse has got on offer.

It is one of the most silent generators we have ever seen.

It releases only around 52dB at 25% load which, while a bit louder than Honda, is still remarkably quiet.

It is a super quiet generator. At 25% load the noise level is only 49 dB!

Even at the full load, the generator is very quiet.

It is one of the best choices for campsites.

It has an original Honda engine – the synonym of the best quality.

The finishing is very robust.

This RV generator is suitable for use in all kinds of rough circumstances.

I have personally seen the construction workers working in the mountains on high altitudes using this Honda generator to power the construction equipment they used to build the iron steps and ladders for trekkers and mountaineers.

That can give you some good idea of how versatile it is, especially for outdoor use.

The EU2200iC generator provides 200 more watts than its predecessor while keeping the same noise level and selling for the same price.

That’s perhaps not a revolutionary change but is certainly a nice improvement.

The design can feel already slightly outdated though. Especially the lack of electric start is a bit of a nuisance. On the other hand, the recoil start works flawlessly. The generator usually starts with a single pull.

However, you probably don’t buy a generator for its looks.

If you need a 2000-watt generator that will serve you for a long time and comes from a trusted manufacturer – Honda EU2200i fully deserves your attention.

If you google its photos online, you might quickly notice that it’s very often showed used in parallel with another Honda generator.

It’s also worth noting that this portable generator is both EPA and CARB compliant. That means you can use it in all 50 states including California.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Generator for RV

The first question you should ask yourself before buying the best portable generator to power your RV is:

How much power do you need?

You don’t want to purchase a portable generator just to realize that it’s too small to run anything.

By saying “small,” we don’t mean the actual physical size of the generator but its power output.

All appliances and electric equipment in your RV require a certain amount of power to run.

In the US we usually use watts (W) or kilowatts (kW, 1kW = 1000 watts) as the basic units of measurements

E.g., a typical LCD TV would need around 120 watts to run. A refrigerator would require at least 180. A 15000 BTU RV air conditioner would consume much more – about 2000 watts.

However, there is a little catch.

The appliances with built-in motor require higher wattage to turn them on and run for the first few seconds. The amount of watts these devices need to kick in is called the starting wattage (sometimes referred to as surge watts)

After a few moments, their consumption goes back to “normal.” That’s called running wattage (also known as rated watts).

Let’s have a look at the refrigerator again.

While an average RV fridge requires approx 180 watts to run, since it has a motor, it requires a much higher number to start. That would be around 600 watts depending on the model.

Therefore an RV refrigerator needs 600 starting watts and 180 running power watts to start and run properly.

As for the big 15,000 BTU AC unit – it would need, on average, 3300 starting watts and 2000 running power watts.

The following table lists the average wattage requirements for the commonly used RV equipment.

Approx. Starting Watts

Approx. Running Watts

RV Air Conditioning Unit (11000 BTU)

1600

1000

RV Air Conditioning Unit (13500 BTU)

2800

1800

RV Air Conditioning Unit (15000 BTU)

3300

2000

RV Refrigerator

600

180

Frying Pan

1500

1500

Microvawe Oven (800 Watts)

1300

1300

Laptop Computer

250

250

Hair Dryer

1900

1800

Satelite Receiver

250

250

Portable Fan

120

40

Lightbulbs (incadescent type)

60

60

LCD Monitor

30

30

Blueray Player

350

350

Flat Screen TV

120

120

Coffee Maker

600

600

Toaster

1200

800

Blender

850

400

Electric Grill

1650

1650

These two numbers: starting & running watts are also the ones you shouldpay close attention to when shopping for a generator.

A portable generator needs at least as much peak power as the starting wattage of the most energy-consuming device you are planning to run OR the sum of the added starting wattage of all devices you want to connect.

Sounds complicated? Let’s have a look at a specific example for better illustration.

Its maximum power output is 2200 starting watts and 2000 running watts.

Would it be enough to run a large 15,000 RV air conditioner?

Such AC requires the starting wattage of 2000. That’s what Honda EU2200i can provide. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, this AC needs 3300 starting watts to turn on and run for the first seconds.

That is well above the maximum starting wattage output offered by Honda EU2200i.

So the final answer is – no. Honda EU2200i sadly cannot run a 15,000 AC.

Ok, but what if you have a smaller AC unit. Let’s say – an 11,000 BTU one?

On average it would need 1600 starting watts and 1000 running watts.

As both figures are well below the maximum capabilities of Honda EU2200i – you could use it to run this air conditioner.

On top of that, you would still have enough spare power to run a couple of other smaller electronics such as a TV, computer and a set of lights.

Ok, so by now, you should get a decent idea of how running and starting watts work. You also know to use these figures to determine what size of a generator do you need to power your appliances.

But what if your air conditioner or a refrigerator has got its power requirement written in amps? How do you calculate this?

Don’t panic as it is straightforward to convert amps into watts.

First, you need to determine the voltage of your equipment. In the US, the most common standard is 120V. Some appliances, however, may operate at higher voltages such as 220V. If you are not sure how many volts does your equipment use, you should also be able to find out on its label.

Then use the following formula to find out how many watts does it consume:

Wattage = Amps x Volts.

For example, if your equipment draws 20 Amps at 120 voltage then its wattage would be:

20 x 120 = 2400 Watts

Which type of generator is the best for RV?

You might ask yourself – Can I simply save myself a headache counting all these power requirements and simply get the largest portable generator?

I’ve explained more about what inverter generators are and how do they differ from conventional types in this article.

One of the best things about them is that they are much smaller and lighter than ordinary open frame portable gens.

They also have a few more essential features, which make them the only viable choice for RV.

Benefits of Inverter Generators

1. Inverters are much quieter

The quietest units operate in the 50 – 59 dB range depending on the load.

That’s already silent enough not to ruin everyone’s night.

Inverters are by far the best portable generators for boondocking.

On the other hand, if you stay at the designated RV park, which explicitly prohibits ANY sorts of RV generators from being run at night – sorry, you won’t get away even with the most silent of a generator.

They usually produce less than 5% of THD, which is safe for your portable electronic equipment.

On top of that, inverters often come up with dedicated USB ports to make charging your iPads or Bluetooth speakers even easier.

3. You can use two inverters in parallel

Imagine that you already have a 2000 watt portable inverter generator. It works fine until day one you realize that you could do with a bit more power.

Or perhaps you need a bit more powerful generator to use as a home backup supply.

What’s the best solution?

Buy another portable inverter generator with the same wattage!

Most of the quality inverter RV generators offer the so-called parallel capability.

That means that you can plug in two generators using a dedicated parallel kit.

By doing so, you can double the total energy output. More power to you!

Connect two Honda EU2200i generators, and you’re going to get 4000 running power watts at your disposal – more than enough to satisfy even the most energy demanding RV.

Still not enough?

Get two Champion 3400 RV generators, connect them in parallel and voila – you’ve got a massive 6800 starting wattage at your hands.

I honestly can’t think of any RV which would require such high power levels.

On the other hand, that would be more than enough power to run the essential equipment in a mid-sized household!

Generally speaking, it’s a much better solution to use two inverters in parallel rather than one single conventional portable generator (Remember? Inverters are safe for portable electronics and are much quieter).

Who makes the best RV generators?

When it comes to the market of portable RV generators, there are a few brands that stand out.

In our opinion, Champion makes the best generators for RV and camping.

They have released an excellent 3400 watt RV ready inverter generator that regularly receives raving reviews from RV enthusiasts.

You can connect it to your trailer without having to buy any adapters or extension cords.

It’s a dual fuel unit – you can run it on either gas or propane.

That would save you quite some money on fuel and give you longer runtime.

Check it out on Amazon.

If you are curious to learn more about this unit, read our detailed review article here.

Both are excellent choices for RV and are clearly among our favorites.

For most of the other generators, you would need the RV adapters.

Fortunately, those are very cheap and easy to find online. Just make sure you get the right type!

Both 2000-watt and 3000-watt inverters require similar types of adapters to connect to the power cord.

What makes the difference is the amperage of your power cord.

Cords are usually rated at 30 or 50 amps.

You can quickly tell the difference between a 30 amp and a 50 amp power cord by counting the number of “male” power prongs.

Three male power prongs = 30 amp.

Four male power prongs = 50 amp.

Simple as that!

Onwards to the right types of adapters.

These adapters are suitable for 30 amp RV power cords

These are the right choices for 50 amp RVs

Additional Things to Look For When Buying a Generator for RV

When considering which generator you want to buy, it’s important to know which features you should look for and what’s recommended for each of them. Not only do you want to ensure that you get something that can handle the size of your RV, but you also want to find something that’s built-in a way that reduces the number of issues you might encounter.

Keep in mind, these features are the most common and usually the most important, but there are other additional features that different generator models might have. The most important thing is to just look at all of this information and compare it to the generators you’re considering to make sure they’ll meet your needs.

Power Output (Wattage)

One of the biggest things people consider when buying a generator for their RV is how much power output or wattage they need.

This feature is essential as you want to make sure your RV can run smoothly. It gets a little confusing when you consider different sized RVs will need different amounts of power.

To find the amount you need, you’ll want to consider a few things. For starters, figure out which appliances are 120V and add all of them together.

You’ll also want to make sure you get a minimum wattage that’s equal to your air conditioner because these use the most power.

Next, multiply the total volts and amps to get the amount of wattage you need.

This amount is the minimum you need, so you might want to get a little extra to ensure you can power any additional appliances you might end up using.

Depending on what type of generator you plan on using, there are some things you’ll want to install.

For example, a generator that will be built right into the RV can have a transfer switch installed.

This switch will automatically switch the generator on and off, depending on whether or not you’re connected to the electricity grid.

Not only is this much more convenient, but you’ll be able to plug in any appliances or accessories when you need to instead of having to wait until you’re connected to electric or needing to stop to turn on the generator manually.

Noise Level

You’ll also want to consider the noise level that the generator puts out. It might not seem like a big deal, but it’ll be essential, depending on where you’ll be camping.

For example, a lot of campsites have strict noise regulations after a specific time, so having a loud generator could end up getting you kicked out or having to pay extra fees as a result of breaking the rules.

The majority of generators that you’ll see will have a decibel rating that lets you know how loud it is.

One thing to consider is that for every 10-decibel increase, the noise is ten times louder.

For example, a generator that is 70 decibels will be ten times louder than one that has 60 decibels.

If at all possible, you’ll want to find a generator that runs between 49 and 65 decibels, which is about as loud as a normal conversation.

If you can’t find a good generator within these decibels, you could get away with having one that’s a little louder.

Once you get to around 110 decibels, though, you’ll have a noise level that’s similar to the sound of a running chainsaw.

If you already know where you’ll be camping or driving, see what kinds of regulations they have to ensure you have a machine that falls within those guidelines.

Fuel Economy

Since fuel can be quite expensive in different areas, it’s important to know what kind of fuel economy your generator has.

Not only will this ensure that you aren’t going to blow through your fuel budget, but you’ll also be able to figure out how long you can run your generator before needing to fill it up again.

Generators with more power output will consume more fuel.

In the same respect, the more you run the generator, the more fuel it’ll consume.

Since there’s a chance that you won’t use the generator the same way every time, it’s essential to calculate the average amount of use you’ll have.

Another thing to keep in mind is that different types of fuel will burn differently.

For example, a 4,000-watt generator that runs on diesel full will go through about 1 gallon of fuel per hour at full load.

On the other hand, running the same generator at a 50% load will result in using about 1 gallon of fuel every 3 hours.

Regardless of how you plan to use your generator, make sure you’re looking at all of this information to ensure you have a big enough budget to keep fuel stocked up.

Design Quality

The quality of the design is essential. Not only do you want to ensure that the generator is made of high-quality materials, but you also want to make sure it’s built in a way that can help it withstand a lot of wear and tear.

With that being the case, there are a few things to consider.

One of the biggest things is that everything is secured where it needs to be. The last thing you want is some parts being loose and causing other parts to get disconnected or interfere with each other to create a dangerous situation.

Another thing to look for is whether or not it has an enclosed frame. An open frame generator is at a higher risk of water or other elements getting in and causing it to stop working.

One last thing you want to look at is whether or not it’s made with strong materials like metal, which will help ensure it can withstand most situations.

Weight & Portability

Most people will end up using a portable generator instead of one that’s built into the RV. With this being the case, it’s important to consider the weight and how easily you can move it.

When looking at weight, you want to find a generator that has the wattage you need, while also being light enough to move around. The issue here is that the ones with a higher power output tend to weigh at least 100 pounds.

Not only is this hard to move around, but those who are using the RV by themselves might find that they have issues.

The weight of the machine should be right on the box or in the item description, which means you’ll know the information before you even buy it. A lighter generator will be a lot easier to move.

Keep in mind, a lot of the newer inverters will provide you with higher power output, without all of the extra weight added.

Warranty & Customer Service

One final thing to consider is the warranty and customer service. Since you never know what might happen while you’re on the road, it’s crucial to be able to use a warranty and reach out to the company without any issues.

Before purchasing, look at reviews to see how customer service usually responds and make sure you know every detail of the warranty and what’s covered under it.

Which Fuel Type of Generator Should You Get?

For the most part, generators are going to run on three types of fuel: diesel, gasoline, and dual fuel (gas and propane). While most will also be able to plug into an electric outlet, riding in an RV means there will be times when you won’t have access to one of these, and you’ll have to use the fuel.

Each of these has its one benefits and setbacks, which we’ll talk about next. Once you get more information on each fuel type, you should be able to figure out which one will work best for your needs and which kind of generator you need.

Gasoline

Gasoline is the most common type of fuel used for generators, mostly because it’s so widely available. The cost tends to be cheaper than other alternatives, which means you can get more for the same amount of money. The good thing is that you can go to the gas station with a few gas cans and fill them up. Keep in mind, though, there’s usually a limit by the government of how much you can store because it’s so flammable.

Another thing to remember is that it’s only good for around one year before it goes bad, so those who have been storing it for a long period might find that you can’t use it anymore. On the other hand, those that will only be storing it for a short period of time should be fine. You should also remember that the supply can be scarce if there’s some kind of emergency because everyone is buying it up.

PROS

Gas is usually pretty easy to get

Gas-powered generators are the cheapest and most readily available

Gasoline can be easily stored

Very easy to refuel the generators

CONS

Gas is only good to store for around one year

There’s a limit to how much you can store at one time

Gasoline can be hard to get in the event of a serious emergency

Gas-powered generators are not the most cost-effective solution

Gas is a fossil fuel with negative environmental impact

Dual Fuel (Gas/Propane) – Best Choice

The most common fuel type for RV generators are ones that use more than one. The most commonly used dual fuel generators are ones that run on gasoline and propane. Not only does this give the option to use whichever one you want, but you’ll have to refill fewer times because you have both types of fuel.

It’s also cheaper to run a generator on propane.

If you are want to minimize your fuel costs, using a dual fuel generator instead of the one relying solely on gas will save you quite some money in the longer term.

PROS

You can easily switch between gas and propane

Most cost-effective solution – propane is cheaper than gasoline

More environmentally friendly than diesel or gas-powered generators

Longer run time – you won’t have to refill the fuel as much as you would with one fuel type

CONS

Propane tanks are heavy to carry around

Some places might not have propane readily available

Dual fuel generators are slightly more expensive to buy than conventional gas-powered generators

Diesel

Diesel is a fuel that’s very stable and has a lot less chance of being explosive than other fuels, like gasoline. It has more energy than most other fuel types, and machines that use it are a lot easier to maintain as a result of not containing spark plugs. There are a few ways you can stock up on diesel. The first is by filling up cans and keeping them stored in a specific place. The other way is by having a tanker come and fill up an external tank that you can use to fill up your generator whenever needed.

However, portable diesel generators are slowly going extinct these days. That’s mainly due to their bad environmental footprint, outdated design, and large size.

You will have a hard time looking for a decent portable diesel generator for your RV.

Will a 3500-watt generator run my RV?

A 3500-watt generator should be able to run a 30 amp RV smoothly. With this power output, you should be able to run everything at once without too many issues. That includes a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner and refrigerator.

Can you run a generator overnight?

Yes, as long as you have enough fuel to keep it running. Keep in mind that some areas might have restrictions on how long you can run your generator, so make sure you get that information.

What is the difference between surge watts and running watts?

Running watts are the amount of power that’s required to continuously run your appliances, while surge watts are the amount of energy that’s needed to start large appliances. You’ll want to get a generator that can easily handle both load requirements at once.

What’s the acceptable noise level for RV generators?

While it’s going to depend based on where you’re staying, almost everyone agrees that a noise level of an RV generator shouldn’t exceed 65 dBa. This decibel level is about as loud as a vibrant conversation or idling car engine.

How to start an RV generator?

That will vary greatly depending on what kind of generator you have. Some have to be started by pulling a starter cord, while others require you to turn on a switch. We’d recommend going with a generator that has a remote start like the Champion 3400.

What’s the Best Fuel Type for RV Generators?

The two fuel types used in the best RV generators are gas & propane. Not only it such a unit more cost-efficient but also more flexible since it gives you a choice between gas and propane. You will also get a longer total continuous run time from a dual fuel generator.

9.7Total Score

Champion 3400 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter - Our Choice

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